question_answer 6)

Answer the following questions briefly. (i) What are the controls affecting the climate of India? (ii) Why does India have a monsoon type of climate? (iii) Which part of India does experience the highest diurnal range of temperature and why? (iv) Which winds account for rainfall along the Malabar coast? (v) What are jet streams and how do they affect the climate of India? (vi) Define monsoons. What do you understand by 'break' in monsoon? (vii) Why is monsoon considered a unifying bond?

Answer:

(i)There are six major controls of the climate of any place. They are latitude, altitude, pressure and wind system, distance from the sea (sentimentality), ocean currents and relief features. (ii)The monsoon winds play an important role in the climate of India. Therefore, it is called the monsoon type of climate. (iii)The north-western part of India experiences the highest diurnal range of temperature. In the Thar desert, the day temperature may rise to 50°C and drop down to near 15°C the same night. On the other hand, there is hardly any difference in day and night temperatures in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands or in Kerala. (iv)The south west monsoon winds are responsible for the rainfall along the Malabar coast. (v)Jet streams are a narrow belt of high altitude (above 12000 m) westerly winds in the troposphere. (a) Their speed varies from about 110 km/h in summer to about 184 km/h in winter. (b) A number of separate jet streams have been identified. (c) The most constant are the mid latitude and subtropical jet streams. (d) Jet streams over the Indian peninsula during the summer affect the monsoon. (e) The subtropical westerly jet stream blow south of the Himalayas and is responsible for the western cyclonic disturbances experienced in the north and north western parts of the country. (f) An easterly jet stream blows over peninsular India. It affects the coastal regions of the country and is responsible for tropical cyclones during the monsoon as well as during the October to November period. (vi)The monsoons are moisture laden winds from the southwest which bring heavy rainfall to southern Asia, in summer. 'Break' in monsoon means that the monsoon has alternate wet and dry spells. This means that the monsoon rains take place for a few days at a time. These wet spells are interspersed with dry spells related to the movement of the monsoon trough. (vii)The seasonal alteration of the wind systems and the associated weather conditions provide a rhythmic cycle of seasons. Monsoon rains are unevenly distributed and typically uncertain. The Indian landscape, plant and animal life, agriculture, the people and their festivities, all revolve around the monsoon. All the Indian people eagerly await the arrival of the monsoon. It binds the whole country by providing water which sets all agricultural activities in motion. That is why the monsoon is considered a unifying bond.